More than 100 members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians are asking the Michigan-based tribe to cut back its police force.

In a letter to the tribal council, the members said the police department has become bloated. They compared the 10 officers who patrol 704 acres with a population of less than 500 to the 17 officers in Leelenau County who patrol 451,2004 acres with a population of more than 2,100.

Some tribal members also protested outside the tribal administration building last week and called for the police budget to be reduced. The tribe's budget is comparable to the county's budget.

The tribe allocated $955,124 for the police department for fiscal year 2006 but the amount was reduced to $647,206. The proposed 2007 budget is $912,000. The county spends about $1.5 million.

Get the Story:
Tribal Police targeted (The Leelanau Enterprise 8/17)

Relevant Links:
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians - http://www.gtb.nsn.us

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